PRESS RELEASE: LLOYDMINSTER INTERVAL HOME SOCIETY
MAY 15, 2023
As the 2023 Alberta election nears, the issue of domestic violence and the needs of the organizations that support survivors must be on everyone’s agenda; indeed two-thirds of people in Canada know a woman who has experienced physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.
While it doesn’t get much attention, gender-based violence is one of Alberta’s most pressing issues. Intimate partner and/or family violence is a key pathway into homelessness, poor mental health and increased substance use. It is also a major contributor to the health care, child welfare, policing and justice system costs. We need all politicians to stand up and address this pandemic.
Domestic violence shelters across Alberta are struggling, and that includes the Lloydminster Interval Home Society (LIHS). LIHS provides essential services to hundreds of vulnerable women and their children every year and the demand for shelter services is only growing. LIHS has seen an increase of 22% in the requests for admission into shelter. In the face of that need, shelters are being told again to find a path forward alone.
In 2018/2019 LIHS increased, with their own funds, from 21 beds to 33 to increase the demand for admission due to the high demand for services. We continue to struggle with a lack of capacity even with an increase in beds, and turn away 7 women and children per day. We also remain unfunded for those beds. Domestic violence shelters haven’t received a funding increase from the Government of Alberta in 8 years. As inflation rises and a recession looms, shelters are being asked to operate on budgets written for 2015 dollars.
If community members would like to support the Lloydminster Interval Home Society’s political action, please reach out to your party’s MLA to find out how they plan to address lack of capacity and inadequate funding of shelters.
Media Inquiries:
Joyce Schmalz, Resource Development Officer
780-808-5282 ext. 2004
